ORGANIC PRODUCTION: A PROFITABLE ALTERNATIVE
Organic is one of the fastest growing sectors in the food industry. Consumer demand for organic food and pet products is far outpacing U.S. organic agricultural production - so the need for more organic producers is great. Organic agriculture is an industry that needs family farmers, and it allows family farms to prosper. Transitioning to organic agriculture is a big step. Some farmers begin the transition on a small scale, while others convert larger portions of their land all at once. Professionals at Grain Place Foods (GPF) are experienced in all levels of the process, and will work to ensure that your transition is systematic, planned and a good fit for your operation.
Organic Farming: Crop Rotations, Fertility, Pest and Weed Management Systems, and Cultural Practices
GPF serves as a conduit to reliable resources that specialize in fundamentals of organic farming. GPF has organized a number of long-time organic farmers to share their insights and experiences with farmers considering transitioning and those farmers already involved in the process. The sharing of experience and the exchange of ideas between farmers with common problems and challenges are important keys to successful transition.
GPF encourages farmer to farmer problem solving at its field days and grower meetings. It participates in important organic conferences, field days and food shows to keep current with trends and issues in the industry, and encourages transitioning farmers to attend conferences to expand their network of contacts. Additionally, GPF has listed a number of resources and web sites where practical information can be located.
Understanding Organic Certification
GPF can assist transitioning farmers with understanding the organic certification rules, filling out certifier forms and completing pre-inspection reviews. Two members of the GPF team have a wealth of organic certification experience. David Vetter and David Springer are committed to making all aspects of organic transition “family farm user friendly.” They offer their knowledge of the standards and practical experience accumulated over the last two decades to transitioning family farmers.
David Vetter, past president of the Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA), contributed to the development of organic standards, has conducted organic farm and processor inspections, and has reviewed applications and inspections for certification domestically and internationally. The Vetter family farm began transitioning in 1975 and was fully certified in 1978. David Vetter has 30 years of hands-on farm and processor certification experience. During his 16 years in the organic industry, David Springer developed organic policies and procedures for a number of organic grain processors, assisted in pre-inspection reviews, successfully completed organic inspector training, was a member of the Iowa Secretary of Agriculture’s Organic Advisory Board and later served as the chairman of the Iowa Organic Standards Board.
Marketing Organic Crops
Marketing is that indispensible part of every farming operation - conventional or organic. However, marketing in the organic industry is very different from marketing in the conventional system. Conventional farmers usually grow commodities which are sold through local elevators. Organic farmers often negotiate prices with a number of buyers in more diversified markets. Organic farmers usually grow crops intended for specific markets and/or specific buyers or end users. Some farmers sell on the spot market while others forward contract. Forward contracting in the organic industry is also different from most conventional contracts. Organic contracts are usually by the acre rather than by the bushel. For example, an organic farmer may contract 50 acres of popcorn with GPF at a given price per pound. GPF would take the number of pounds that the 50 acres produces. Farmers are not obligated to produce a minimum number of pounds; GPF shares in yield risks.
GPF serves as a resource for transitioning farmers, introducing them to different markets and buyers. GPF prides itself in being an honest and transparent broker of market information to organic family farms, and promotes the principle of market diversity. While it often buys more than one crop on the farm rotation, it encourages and helps farmers to find diverse markets for all crops in their rotation. GPF recognizes that its long-term success is linked to the farming and marketing success of its family farm suppliers.
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